gio28
Active Member
Time to upgrade my lighting to T5! Suggestions please
- Thread starter gio28
- Start date
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by gio28
http:///forum/post/3282673
Hi everyone, I recently started a thread asking for help to find a retro for my canopy...but now I want to get rid of the canopy altogether and just get a fixture. I have no special requirements other than the fixture needs to be 30", which is not as common but still out there. Oh and the tank is a 36 bowfront which I would like to turn from FOWLR into a mixed reef...including SPS placed near the top. Please help me out by suggesting a good fixture. Thanks!
SEEEEEE I told you 30" is hard to find LOL
http:///forum/post/3282673
SEEEEEE I told you 30" is hard to find LOL
gio28
Active Member
@nike - thanks for the suggestion. Those were my first choice...however I would like something in the $300 range if possible, although they are TOP notch.
@meowzer - haha yeah thats why I hate my bowfront! its odd length and now deep it is makes me mad! your corner tank will definitely be a challenge if you decide to upgrade to T5s.
@meowzer - haha yeah thats why I hate my bowfront! its odd length and now deep it is makes me mad! your corner tank will definitely be a challenge if you decide to upgrade to T5s.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by gio28
http:///forum/post/3282721
@meowzer - haha yeah thats why I hate my bowfront! its odd length and now deep it is makes me mad! your corner tank will definitely be a challenge if you decide to upgrade to T5s.
You know....the satellite dual is a 24" set up......I could get a 24" T5 set up.....it would still be better than the pc's.....right
http:///forum/post/3282721
@meowzer - haha yeah thats why I hate my bowfront! its odd length and now deep it is makes me mad! your corner tank will definitely be a challenge if you decide to upgrade to T5s.
You know....the satellite dual is a 24" set up......I could get a 24" T5 set up.....it would still be better than the pc's.....right
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by gio28
http:///forum/post/3282749
IMO yeah. I would look at a 24" or 36" ATI or Tek fixture if i were you...you would have to hang it above the center of your tank to disperse the light evenly...if you dont mind hanging it.
don't want to steal your thread...BUT I have a 30" sundial T5HO, and last night I tried it on the 54G for size.....because the feet are adjustable it would work....I don't want a hangin one cause I think it would clash with the deer head and the pic over the tank (LOL) so 30" is the max size I can go.....I am sure I will find one.....or not...
....as said before....no rush....
http:///forum/post/3282749
IMO yeah. I would look at a 24" or 36" ATI or Tek fixture if i were you...you would have to hang it above the center of your tank to disperse the light evenly...if you dont mind hanging it.
don't want to steal your thread...BUT I have a 30" sundial T5HO, and last night I tried it on the 54G for size.....because the feet are adjustable it would work....I don't want a hangin one cause I think it would clash with the deer head and the pic over the tank (LOL) so 30" is the max size I can go.....I am sure I will find one.....or not...
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by luvmyreef
http:///forum/post/3282761
Why dont you guys try the 30 inch sunpod 150 or 250 watt? I think you can get one for 290. I know they quit making them, but you can still find them. I personally think it would be better than t-5's.
it doesn't have the side actinic lights
http:///forum/post/3282761
Why dont you guys try the 30 inch sunpod 150 or 250 watt? I think you can get one for 290. I know they quit making them, but you can still find them. I personally think it would be better than t-5's.
it doesn't have the side actinic lights
luvmyreef
Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3282763
it doesn't have the side actinic lights
True, but it has blue and white LED lights that are independently controlled. So, I was thinking that you could run the blue LED's during the day and the white for the moonlight. Or add some other blue LED's. I used to be a big fan of my t-5's, but everyone seems to get such better colors out of the corals with the metal halides. Dont get me wrong, I get good colors with my Nova Extreme Pro, I just think they would be better if I would of went with MH. JMO.
http:///forum/post/3282763
it doesn't have the side actinic lights
True, but it has blue and white LED lights that are independently controlled. So, I was thinking that you could run the blue LED's during the day and the white for the moonlight. Or add some other blue LED's. I used to be a big fan of my t-5's, but everyone seems to get such better colors out of the corals with the metal halides. Dont get me wrong, I get good colors with my Nova Extreme Pro, I just think they would be better if I would of went with MH. JMO.
gio28
Active Member
thanks for the suggestion of the sunpod...I looked into it. only problem is that the MH is in the center which will cast a shadow because on the stupid center brace on my tank lol...I have a MH now and its so ugly to look at with that darn shadow in my tank!
I think im gonna get a tek fixture 4X24 to go over my tank. Im gonna use those bookshelf angle thingys to hang it off of...cause my mom says it will look ugly hanging all the way from the ceiling haha. I figure I should pay for one of the best fixtures cause the reflectors and bulbs im gonna get are gonna make all the difference in what type of corals I can keep.
Now all I have to do is make $300 this summer before school starts again to pay for it lol.
Do you guys think there will be a shadow with the T5s...cause they are longer than the MH but are still only gonna be 24" long compared to my tanks actual length of 30"...stupid brace!
I think im gonna get a tek fixture 4X24 to go over my tank. Im gonna use those bookshelf angle thingys to hang it off of...cause my mom says it will look ugly hanging all the way from the ceiling haha. I figure I should pay for one of the best fixtures cause the reflectors and bulbs im gonna get are gonna make all the difference in what type of corals I can keep.
Now all I have to do is make $300 this summer before school starts again to pay for it lol.
Do you guys think there will be a shadow with the T5s...cause they are longer than the MH but are still only gonna be 24" long compared to my tanks actual length of 30"...stupid brace!